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13 · Wednesday, September 5, 2012 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.insideHALTON.com Fall Registration The value of real writing in a text messaging world (NC)--There's more to just learning the ABCs in school. Children also have to be taught how to put letters together to form words and sentences that make sense and help communicate thoughts and ideas. Learning to write is an important skill to master and one that can be developed in children at an early age. Communication is important to our society and getting children used to writing will help them communicate well as they grow. But why is writing so important? It's a skill required for both work and our personal life. From writing reports to penning a thoughtful letter, some form of writing is required almost every day. Writing helps people to express themselves and makes their thinking visible. For children it's a good way to teach grammar, spelling and formation of logical thought. It helps with reading development as well. Writing can also solidify ideas and thoughts and help people to reflect on them once they see words on paper. Writing is also a good outlet for imagination, and children often have an abundance of that. To help develop your child's writing skills, encourage them to write and make it rewarding. For example, you can post their work on a family website, or on the fridge, or include their essay in a family holiday communication. Also, to encourage writing, be sure to include regular visits to the library, good writers are usually avid readers. There are many writing contests that you can encourage your children to participate in as well. One of the best is the Genworth Canada and Habitat for Humanity's "Meaning of Home" contest which encourages children in grade 4, 5 and 6 to write about what home means to them. This year's contest runs from October 10 to November 9. More information is available online at www.meaningofhome. It's back-to-school for students and back to writing, a practise encouraged by a contest. ca. CHOICE, DIVERSITY, INNOVATION, EXCELLENCE, PERSONALIZATION Choosing your child's educational path is an important decision, and finding the right school is the beginning of the journey. In a changing and challenging education environment, Oakville Independent Schools offer families a stable and dependable choice, providing innovative and engaging programs for a new generation of learners. With 12 member schools, there is a wide variety of unique and high quality education alternatives available. We invite you to discover the benefits and explore your options. Visit School Websites · Attend an Open House · Arrange a School Visit · Talk to Admissions Staff A GREAT SCHOOL IS WAITING FOR YOU! To learn more about the benefits of an independent education, please visit www.educationoakville.com